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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To call Council over Vermin in rented cottage?

34 replies

pinkingshears · 02/11/2017 20:53

Have been in a rented cottage for a year, It's quite nice BUT
When I moved in last autumn there was a biggish rat problem.
(cottage had been empty for 6m).
It took about 8 weeks for the landlord to get a proper pest control person around ('it's bats' / birds / mice / your imagination) who confirmed major issue in attic. I had photos of dead rats after on doorstep etc.
Now again there is an issue. Mice this time but I am catching 8 a day and they are running all around. I have two kids (10 and 13) so it is NOT okay.
I have asked him 4 times over last 6 weeks and nada.
Shall I just call the Council?
Will he then give me notice?

OP posts:
Dizzywizz · 02/11/2017 21:14

Why don’t you call pest control out? I work for a rental agents and pest control is tenant responsibility. What does your agreement say?

WishingOnABar · 02/11/2017 21:18

Agree with Dizzywizz, on most private rental contracts pest control is actually the tenant’s responsibility. Most councils do have a contract with specific pest agencies however, and you get a discount if you mention you were referred by them. If you receive housing benefit or other means tested support you may also be entitled to an additional discount- check your local council website

Spam88 · 02/11/2017 21:25

Yep, usually tenant’s responsibility. Can’t imagine why the council would be interested.

RunningOutOfCharge · 02/11/2017 21:27

its your responsibility!!

Original poster
pinkingshears · 02/11/2017 22:06

Really??? If I move into a rat infested cottage it is down to ME to get rid of them and pay for it? Surely not?

OP posts:
Hauntedlobster · 02/11/2017 22:08

Council will charge you. They’re your problem sadly, not your LL’s.

londonrach · 02/11/2017 22:15

Ive rented for years and only had mice once. Phoned ll who bought traps around. Never considered it was my problem...yes lightbulbs etc. Mice etc is linked to fabric of the building surely unless you left food out.

JeNeSuisPasVotreMiel · 02/11/2017 22:18

Same as it's your responsibility to check whether the property you are moving to is clean and hygienic.

It's hardly the council's fault that you took the property on.

carefreeeee · 02/11/2017 22:21

Have you tried one of those high pitched plug in deterrent s? They work really well and only cost 20 quid

Original poster
pinkingshears · 02/11/2017 22:21

I just googled Shelter who say that it is the LL responsibility if vermin are there at the start of the Tenancy. Which they were.
Also if they are there due to ill repair of property rather than tenant leaving food lying / dirty conditions (not the case).
I have pointed out where they are getting in (missing fascia in roof area leads to hole into attic).
Last time he only did something when I said I would call in the Council as I guess he knew they'd charge him not me.
I suppose I'll have to do that again.
It's revolting and as a LL I would be ashamed.

OP posts:
Cheeseontoastie · 02/11/2017 22:23

Just get your own traps? That's what my mum did.

Original poster
pinkingshears · 02/11/2017 22:25

The place was clean when I moved in.
But the attic was full of rats. How the jeff was I supposed to know that?
Now it is full of mice. You can hear them in the walls.
The LL has a farm type business fairly close by.
They have a rat problem there, he has told me.

I checked my contract. No mention of vermin responsibilities so I assume Shelter know their stuff.

OP posts:
Original poster
pinkingshears · 02/11/2017 22:27

I have my own mouse traps. I am getting 8-10 a day. I am disabled and it is hard for me to bend to empty them. I also have kids.
I am not taking rats out of traps - it is a health risk.

OP posts:
Hauntedlobster · 04/11/2017 13:42

Amazon do 3 x high pitch plug ins for £12. I got them as could hear mice in walls. Has solved my pribem.

SaskiaRembrandtWasFramed · 04/11/2017 13:50

If the mice have turned up since you've been living there, then yes, I'm afraid it is your responsibility. Also, it sounds as though you're living in quite a rural location, in which case, it's not unusual to get rats and mice indoors, especially at this time of year when it's getting colder.

SaskiaRembrandtWasFramed · 04/11/2017 13:51

Have you considered getting a cat, or borrowing one?

Cheeseontoastie · 04/11/2017 13:52

Cats don't work!! Suck a myth so borrowing one certainly wont. I have 2 still got mice for about a year after getting them.

Cheeseontoastie · 04/11/2017 13:53

Such not suck Confused

Mittens1969 · 04/11/2017 14:00

I think that’s true, they also bring live mice into the house and then they escape!! That’s happened in our house (4 cats), though thankfully not often. Confused

PetalStretch · 04/11/2017 14:02

Honestly amazed at the responses to the OP. The usual angry start-up people who are completely ignorant of the law and (it seems) common decency.

Landlord lets rat and mice infested property to tenant (who didn't notice them running around on her 10 minute visit). People are almost shouting at the tenant to get over herself and sort it out herself, practially and financially. What planet are these people on?

Anyway, I would pursue all legal avenues, including Shelter, OP. I would also check your tenancy (doesn't mean what the Landlord has written has any legal standing though).

If your shit landlord evicts you or doesn't repeat tenancy, count your blessings.

I had a similar problem with my Landlord and billed them. But I had more problems with them later, which was probably predictable - after all what kind of person rents out their property is such dilapidated state?

I think the Council probably could enforce some kind of health order on the place - but you would need to investigate that further.

foodtime · 04/11/2017 14:05

Can people learn to fucking read.

The OP said they were there when she moved in. Yes they are the landlords responsibility. Can you prove that they were there when you moved in OP? Any emails? Did the landlord ever say they would sort it?

Sorry your going though this

Booboobooboo84 · 04/11/2017 14:07

Definitely contact the council for advice.

But in fairness the LL did resolve the vermin problem. The rats were gone. You need to look at how the mice are getting in and what they are living off.

SaskiaRembrandtWasFramed · 04/11/2017 14:13

I think you've been buying faulty cats, when we lived rurally mine did a sterling job.

Cheeseontoastie · 04/11/2017 14:15

Mine killed them they just wouldn't stop coming. I don't think they cared.

coddiwomple · 04/11/2017 14:15

It depends on the cat, some are amazing to get rid of vermins, some less. It works with dogs too! (not in the attic obviously)

As above OP< it's your responsibility to deal with the newly arrived mice, a wasp nest or whatever pest can come and disturb the peace. It's also your responsibility to clean your house, a rental is not a hotel, you can't expect LL to do everything.

If you have been in the house for a year but are only complaining about the mice now, you can't seriously expect your landlord to be responsible! You are however responsible for unreasonable wear and tear and allowing the vermin to destroy the place by not taking any reasonable action.